Device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox



April 17, 1962 s. ROSING 3,030,058 DEVICE FOR ATTACHING A NEWSPAPER RECEPTACLE TO A RURAL MAILBOX Filed March 17, 1960 INVENTOR. 2 SEYMOUR ROSING czwamocam,

its State 3,030,058 DEVHJE FOR ATTACHHNG A NEWSPAPER RECEPTACLE TO A RURAL MAILBGX Seymour Rosing, Clarence, N.Y., assiguor to Bntfaio Courier Express, lino, Buifalo, N.Y. Filed Mar. 17, 196 0, Ser- No. 15,561 9 Claims. (Cl. 248-205) by such a receptacle mounting arrangement, the use of a separate mounting stake for newspaper receptacles is relatively expensive and time consuming. The newspaper route man must take the time to drive the stake into the ground and, when the customer moves or for some other reason discontinues his subscription, must struggle to remove the stake from the ground. The route man also must cope with a multiplicity of stakes, as well as with the receptacles, when making his rounds. All of this greatly increases the time and effort which must be expended by the route man.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox quickly and easily, and without the use of tools, whereby the receptacle and mailbox have a common mounting stake.

Another object of my invention is to provide a moon.- in-g bracket device which is quickly fitted to the receptacle and to the mailbox, and readily released therefrom, with a minimum of effort.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a newspaper receptacle mounting bracket device which is relatively compact, lightweight, and inexpensive.

In addition, it is an object of my invention to provide a mounting bracket device which attaches the newspaper receptacle to the mailbox in a position such that the newspaper receptacle does not interfere in any way with observation of the sides and ends of the box, or with observation of the flag customarily used to signal the mailman.

A bracket device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox constructed in accordance with my invention is characterized, in one aspect thereof, by the provision of a first bracket portion of inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox, and a generally C-shaped second bracket portion adapted to'carry a newspaper receptacle, the first and second bracket portions being connected together with the second bracket portion laterally and vertically offset relative to the first bracket portion.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of a bracket device constructed in accordance with my invention will become clearly apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction Hifiii with the accompanying drawing illustrating such embodiment wherein like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the various views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a newspaper receptacle attached to a rural mailbox by a bracket device of my invention, the mailbox mounting post being broken away for convenience in illustration;

walls 16 and 17, respectively,

FIG. 2 is a corresponding view of the bracket device alone; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the mailbox and attached newspaper receptacle, taken from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment depicted in the accompanying drawing, there is shown a bracket device of my invention, generally designated 1, adapted to receive a conventional newspaper receptacle, generally designated 2, and attache the same to a con ventional rural mailbox, generally designated 3, in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. The particular newspaperreceptacle 2 shown in the drawing is of generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, and the illustrated mailbox 3 is of the usual type having a rounded top, an access door 4 pivotally attached adjacent its lower edge to the box and carrying a catch 5 adapted to engage a catch 6 carried by the box, and the usual flag '7 pivotally secured to the side of the box, as at 8, for being swung to an upright position when it is desired to signal the postman. The mailbox 3 is mounted on a post or stake 9, which can be of the usual type, and it will be appreciated that both the newspaper receptacle 2 and the mailbox 3 are entirely conventional, comprising per se no part of my invention.

In the particular form illustrated, the bracket device 1 of my invention comprises a pair of bracket members 11 fabricated of cylindrical wire stock. Each bracket member 11 is formed to provide a first part of inverted generally U-shape having opposite side leg portions 12 and 13 joined at one end by a rounded bight portion 14. Each outer leg 12 terminates adjacent its other, lower end in a loop 15, and each inner leg 13 leads to a second part of generally C-shape having top and bottom joined by a side wall 18.

The bracket members 11 are joined in spaced apart relation with the respective first and second parts thereof in alinement, by means of cross bars 19 and 20. The cross bar 19 extends between legs 12 of the first bracket member part; adjacent the loops 15, and cross bar 20 extends between the top walls 16 of the second bracket member parts.

In this way, the assembled bracket members provide a first bracket portion, defined by the alined first parts 12, 13 and 14 of the individual members, which is of inverted, generally U-shape, and a second bracket portion, defined by the alined second parts 16, 17 and 18 of the individual members, which is of generally C-shape opening toward the first bracket portion. As viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, the C-shape of the second bracket portion. is reversed, but obviously if the bracket device is viewed from the opposite end the C-shape will be facing forwardly. In either case, the 'C-shaped second portion of the bracket device opensjtoward the inverted U-shaped first portion.

The bracket device is completed by connecting arms 21 which extend from the bottom walls 17 of the C-shaped second parts upwardly across the mouths of the inverted U-shaped first parts, terminating in hook portions 22 which releasably engage the loops 15 adjacent the lower ends of the legs 12. The bracket members 11 preferably the hook portions 22 from the loops 15.

When it is desired to attach the newspaper receptacle 2 to the mailbox 3, the connecting arms 21 of the bracket device are spread apart to release the hook portions 22 from the loops 15. The newspaper receptacle 2 can then be slipped into place in the generally C-shaped second portion, with the top and bottom walls 16 and 17 engaging the top and bottom of the newspaper receptacle, and with the side walls 18 engaging the corresponding side of the receptacle, adjacent the opposite ends of the receptacle as clearly shown in FIG. 1. The junctures 23 (PEG. 2) between the legs 13 and the top walls 16 are disposed below the level of the top walls 16, to provide shoulders extending partially down the side of the receptacle 2 opposite the side which is engaged by the side walls 18 of the bracket device, thereby releasably locking the receptacle in the second portion. Thus the arms 21 are resiliently stressed as required to insert the receptacle 2 in the bracket device, and are then released, following which the receptacle 2 is releasably but securely retained in position in the bracket device 1 until it is intentionally removed therefrom.

Then, with the connecting arms 21 still released from the loop 15, the first bracket portion 12, 13 and 14 is slipped downwardly over the mailbox 3, to the position illustrated in PEG. 1. Once the bracket device 1 is assembled to the mailbox, the connecting arms 21 are moved to engage the hook portions 22 in the loops 15, whereupon the device is completely assembled and the newspaper receptacle 2 is securely but releasably attached to the mailbox 3.

It will be observed that with a bracket device of my invention there is no necessity of driving a stake into the ground, or of providing a separate mounting post for the receptacle. This is completely avoided by using the mailbox 3 and its post 9 as the mounting support for the receptacle. When it is desired to mount .a newspaper receptacle, the latter is simply slipped into the bracket device which then is slipped over the mailbox, all of which can be accomplished in less than a minute. Disassembly is similarly accomplished with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. However, when my bracket device is assembled to the newspaper receptacle and to the mailbox, a very neat appearance is provided. Also, it will be noted that the newspaper receptacle is displaced vertically relative to the mailbox, so that the name on the box can be viewed from either side, and preferably the receptacle 2 is displaced downwardly relative to the box, as illustrated, so that it does not interfere with observation of the flag 7 in either of its positions.

The cross arm 19 preferably is positioned adjacent loops on the inside of legs 12, as shown, so that when the bracket 1 is slipped over the mailbox 3 the cross arm 19 engages beneath the bottom edge of the box, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to provide a shoulder serving to more securely anchor the bracket in the desired position on the mailbox. The resiliency of the material used in the bracket permits the legs 12, 13 to be spread apart to enable the cross arm 19 to pass over the box. The cross arm 29 is provided to assist cross arm 19 in maintaining bracket members 11 properly assembled, and it is believed that the illustrated position of arm 20 is advantageous from the standpoint of maintaining the desired assembled relationship of the bracket members without interfering with spreading of the connecting arms 21, and of any other portions of the bracket members, as required to assemble the receptacle thereto and attach the bracket to the box.

Accordingly, it is seen that my invention fully accomplishes its intended objects, and provides a bracket device which is readily manipulated to attach a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox, and to detach the same therefrom, with relatively no effort and in a matter of seconds. The resulting appearance is much neater than that prevailing where separate mounting stakes are used, and there is no interference with observation of indicia on the mailbox, or of the flag, from either side. Obviously, the configuration of the first bracket portion, defined by the legs 12, and 13 and the bight portion 14, .can be varied to suit the shape of the particular rural mailbox to which the receptacle is to be attached, and in like manner the second bracket portion, defined by the walls 16, 17 and 13 can be varied in shape to suit the shape of the particular receptacle to be attached. Further, I realize that the bracket device of my invention might find utility in situations other than that specifically referred to above.

While I have disclosed and described herein just one, presently preferred embodiment of my invention, that has been done by way of illustration and without thought of limitation. Obviously, the materials used, and the details of construction, can be varied by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having fully disclosed and completely described my invention, and its mode of operation, What I claim as new is:

l. A bracket device for attaching a newspaper rcceptacle to a rural mailbox comprising, a first bracket portion of inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox, a second bracket portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first bracket portion, said second bracket portion being adapted to carry a newspaper receptacle and being offset laterally and downwardly relative to said first bracket portion, the upper end of said second bracket portion being joined to the adjacent end of said first bracket portion, and releasable connecting arm means extending across the mouth of said first bracket portion between the lower end of said second bracket portion and the remote end of said first bracket portion.

2. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox comprising, a pair of bracket members each having a first part of normally inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox and a newspaper receptacle receiving second part of generally C-shape opening toward said first part in laterally and downwardly offset relation thereto, means joining said bracket members in spaced apart relation with the first and second parts of one bracket member alined with the corresponding parts of the other bracket member, and releasable connecting arm means extending across the open lower ends of said first bracket parts between the lower ends of said second parts and the remote ends of said first parts.

3. In a device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox, a bracket comprising a first portion of normally inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox, a second portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first portion and carried thereby in laterally and downwardly offset relation thereto, said second portion being adapted to receive a newspaper receptacle, and a connecting portion extending from the lower end of said second portion across the mouth of said first portion into selectively releasable engagement with said first portion on the side thereof remote from said second portion.

4. In a device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox, a bracket comprising a first portion of normally inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox, one leg of said first bracket portion terminating adjacent its lower end in a loop facing the other leg of said first bracket portion, a second bracket portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first bracket portion and adapted to receive a newspaper receptacle, the upper end of said second bracket portion being joined to said other leg of said first bracket portion adjacent the lower end thereof whereby said second bracket portion is laterally and downwardly offset relative to said first bracket portion, and a connecting arm portion extending from the lower end of said bracket portion across the mouth of said first bracket portion, said connecting arm portion terminating in a hook portion releasably engageable in said loop.

5. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox comprising a pair of bracketmembers each having a first portion of normally inverted generally U- shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox and a second portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first portion for receiving a newspaper receptacle, each of said second portions being carried by the associated first portion in laterally and downwardly offset relation thereto, means joining said bracket members with the corresponding portions thereof in alinement, and a connecting arm portion extending from the lower end of each of said second portions across the mouth of the associated first portion into releasable engagement therewith on the remote side thereof.

6. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox comprising, a pair of bracket members each having a first portion of normally inverted generally U- shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox and a second portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first portion and adapted to receive a newspaper receptacle, one leg of each of said first portions terminating adjacent its lower end in a loop facing the other leg thereof and the upper end of each of said second portions being joined to said other leg of the associated first portion adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby said second portions are laterally and downwardly offset relative to said first portions, means joining said bracket members in spaced apart relation with the corresponding portions thereof in alinement, and a connecting arm portion extending from the lower end of each of said second portions across the mouth of the associated first portion, said connecting arm portions terminating in hook portions releasably engageable in said loops.

7. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox as set forth in claim 6, wherein said joining means include a cross arm extending between said one leg of said first portions on the inner side thereof adjacent said loops for engaging the bottom of a rural mailbox when said device is attached thereto.

8. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox comprising, a pair of bracket members each having a first portion of inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox and a second portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first portion and adapted to receive a newspaper receptacle, one leg of each of said first portions terminating adjacent its lower end in a loop facing the other leg thereof and the upper end of each of said second portions being joined to said other leg of the associated first portion adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby said second portions are laterally and downwardly offset relative to said first portions, means joining said bracket members in spaced apart relation with the corresponding portions thereof in alinement, and a connecting arm portion extending from the lower end of each of said second portions across the month of the associated first portion, said connecting arm portions terminating in hook portions. releasably engageable in said loops, wherein the junctures between said other legs of said first portions and said upper ends of the associated second portions are disposed below said upper ends.

9. A device for attaching a newspaper receptacle to a rural mailbox comprising, a pair of bracket members each comprising a one-piece fabrication having a first portion of normally inverted generally U-shape adapted to fit over a rural mailbox and a second portion of generally C-shape opening toward said first portion and adapted to receive a newspaper receptacle, one leg of each of said first portions terminating adjacent its lower end in a loop facing the other leg thereof and the upper end of each of said second portions being joined to said other leg of the associated first portion adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby said second portions are laterally and downwardly oifset relative to said first portions, and means joining said bracket members in spaced apart relation with the corresponding portions thereof in alinement, each of said bracket member fabrications including a connecting arm portion extending from the lower end of the second portion across the mouth of the associated first portion and terminating in a hook portion releasably engageable in the loop of such first portion, wherein said joining means include a cross arm extending between said one leg of said first portions on the inner side thereof adjacent said loops for engaging the bottom of a rural mailbox when said device is attached thereto, and wherein the junctures between said other legs of said first portions and said upper ends of the associated second portions are disposed below said upper ends.

References titted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,065,423 Zeigler June 24, 1913 1,514,375 Crimmel Nov. 4, 1924 2,295,370 Tritt Sept. 8, 1942 2,493,373 Marsand Feb. 21, 1950 2,503,859 Webber Apr. 11, 1950 

